Local Elections 2024 Wicklow: Tallies complete with Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Independents leading

The Arklow LEA appears to be playing out as predicted, with Pat Kennedy (Fianna Fáil) leading the way ahead of party colleague Pat Fitzgerald and Independent Peir Leonard.

Fine Gael candidates in the Baltinglass LEA will have their sights set on hitting the first count quota, with Edward Timmins, Peter Stapleton and Avril Cronin each receiving over or around 10pc of preferences. Long-serving Independent Gerry O’Neill is the outstanding candidate in the the LEA, garnering 18pc of preferences.

In Bray West, incumbents Joe Behan (Independent) and Melanie Corrigan (Fine Gael) have taken the lion’s share of the preferences in their respective electoral areas, while Aoife Flynn-Kennedy took 17pc of preferences in Bray East, which looks set to be the most hotly contested LEA in the county.

Equally, the Greystones LEA shows a broad distribution of preferences, with Stephen Stokes the only candidate that looks set to reach the quota later this afternoon.

In the Wicklow LEA another Independent, John Snell, looks set for re-election with over 17pc of preferences, while Danny Alvey (Social Democrats) and Fine Gael candidate Shane Langrell both received over 10pc of the preferences.

Although all candidates expected to to be elected in the first count are incumbents, there has been substantial support for several new candidates, including Alvey, Stapleton and Langrell, as well as Ian Neary (Independent Ireland) and Louise Fenelon Gaskin (Fine Gael)

Based on the tallies, a 50pc turnout is estimated. The tallying and sorting has now finished. Counting is due to begin.

There are 75 candidates seeking election to 32 seats on Wicklow County Council.

A first count, and hopefully the first news of election candidates, could be as late as midnight, with counters intending to keep going through the night.